Abbott: Antisemitism 'has no place in Texas'

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill creating the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission to develop ways to fight antisemitism into law on June 16.

The commission will study antisemitism in Texas and collaborate with educators to develop ways to combat antisemitism. They will develop courses and programs studying the Holocaust and genocide.

“Proud to sign HB 3257 into law, creating the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission,” Abbott tweeted.

Joining the governor for the signing were the Consulate General of Israel Gilad Katz, and members of the Israel National Defense College, the Jewish Federation and the American Jewish Committee.

“Antisemitism has no place in Texas, and we have a duty to combat it whenever and however it arises. That is why I am proud to sign House Bill 3257 into law, which will create the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Committee and bolster our efforts to eradicate antisemitism in the Lone Star State,” Abbott said, the Office of the Governor reported.

Five Jewish groups penned a letter to President Joe Biden expressing concern about the recent surge of antisemitic hate crimes in the U.S. amid the military confrontation between Israel and Hamas, which agreed to a cease-fire this week.

The American Jewish Community and the Jewish Federations of North America also joined the Jewish Congregations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America to call on Biden to condemn antisemitism and take action to combat anti-Jewish hate.

“We are grateful for the current ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, but we fear that the way the conflict has been used to amplify antisemitic rhetoric, embolden dangerous actors and attack Jews and Jewish communities will have ramifications far beyond these past two weeks," the groups wrote, USA Today reported.

The Texas commission will be tasked with producing biennial reports on antisemitism in Texas. It will also work with educational institutions on ways to fight antisemitism and teach about the Holocaust, the Office of the Governor said.

Abbott said that antisemitism "has no place in Texas," KLTV reported.

The U.S. has been reeling from an increase of violent acts rooted in antisemitism, USA Today reported.